Track #2: Health Informatics
The delivery of health care generates unimaginable amounts of paperwork which must be organized stored and at times shared to assure that patients receive the care that they expect and that providers are appropriately reimbursed. With the goal ultimately being a fully integrated electronic health record (EHR) students in this track will develop an understanding of the process needed to achieve this goals and of the many and often formidable challenges associated with it. In addition, consumer concerns associated with privacy and security of sensitive information will be discussed as an additional factor which requires careful consideration as the EHR is created and made available.
Why This Is Important
The process of delivering health care produces a large composite of information which is stored in paper and electronic formats. In order for the system to work effectively decisions need to be made as to how and with whom the information gets shared and how it gets stored.
Following the release of HIPAA, questions remain which the courses in this track will seek to answer about how health care entities manage all this information and how the consumers who actually own the information are protected.
Career Opportunities
This track provides excellent preparation for individuals seeking a career in the health informatics professions at hospitals and health systems such as privacy officer, compliance officer, corporate health information management director, corporate electronic content management officer, health information consultant or chief information officer for hospitals. In addition it would be valuable for anyone who seeks to work in physician practice management or in the health care insurance industry.
Required Courses (see program structure for sequence)
Elective Courses (must take 4)
- Health Care Privacy Law and HIPAA
- The Internet and Health Care
- Managing Risk in eHealth
- Medical Informatics
- Health Care Contracts
- Introduction to Elder Law
Course requirements and electives are subject to change.
Structure of Program
Year 1
Term 1
Introduction to Legal Study and Writing [4 credits]
Term 2
Introduction to Legal Research [1 credit]
Introduction to Health Law and Policy [3 credits]
Term 3
Health Care Business and Finance [2 credits]
Health Regulation and Policy [2 credits]
Post Term 3
Education Immersion Weekend [in Chicago]
Year 2
Term 4
Elective #1 [2 credits]
Elective #2 [2 credits]
Term 5
Elective #3 [2 credits]
Elective #4 [2 credits]
Term 6
Thesis Project [4 credits]
Post Term 6
Thesis Immersion Weekend [in Chicago]
